lubicating clutch cable

[dcarlson]

'86, 915. Wondering how to go about lubing clutch cable and pedal cluster before considering replacement or rebuilding. Appreciate any comments.

[howard freeman]

What is it doing,Squeaking,groaning or moaning?? Many times noises from the clutch come from the small bushing on the attachment point of the clutch cable clevis to the arm on the pedal cluster. Bushing is plastic & often completely gone. You must determine where the noise is 1st,then proceed with diagnosis and repair. I don't find many cables that need lube. narrow the noise down to the front or rear of the car,and report back.
Howard

[HawgRyder]

If you ask a motorcycle repair shop...they might have one of the old grease pressure injection gimmicks.
It goes over the end of the cable where the center wire comes out...and forms a seal around the outer sheath...and has a grease fitting on it.
The idea is to force grease up into the outer jacket all the way through the cable.
It used to be standard practice to do it once a year or so.
Bob

[dcarlson]

It's coming from pedal area that is why I was asking about lubing cluster and cable- plus the shop it was recently in for something else listed this as something it needed - I do trust their judgement - so any insight from someone who has done this would be appreciated, thanks for your response

[dcarlson]

Originally Posted by HawgRyder

If you ask a motorcycle repair shop...they might have one of the old grease pressure injection gimmicks.
It goes over the end of the cable where the center wire comes out...and forms a seal around the outer sheath...and has a grease fitting on it.
The idea is to force grease up into the outer jacket all the way through the cable.
It used to be standard practice to do it once a year or so.
Bob

pedal end or back end? got to eyeball both and see how junked up they are first

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by dcarlson

It's coming from pedal area that is why I was asking about lubing cluster and cable- plus the shop it was recently in for something else listed this as something it needed - I do trust their judgement - so any insight from someone who has done this would be appreciated, thanks for your response

It's probably your bushings groaning as previously mentioned. Do a rebuild of the pedal cluster (I would recommend bronze bushings), and I will bet your noise will go away.

[redstrosekNic]

The rebuild isn't too bad to do. The hardest part is removing the old roll pin, then putting a new one in when the rebuild is complete.

[Nickshu]

You can try lubricating with a motorcycle tool, but I agree most likely it's the cluster and/or the helper spring at the transmission.

Honestly, just replace the cable, helper spring and rebuild the cluster and be done with it. Unless you know it has been done in the recent past, the car is almost 30 years old. At this point age is more of a factor than mileage.

[NoYouRelax]

I've heard that a louder exhaust with more HP will cover up the clutch spring/pedal noises.

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by NoYouRelax

I've heard that a louder exhaust with more HP will cover up the clutch spring/pedal noises.

Lol

Until the bushing at the clevis is completely gone, the pin wears through, then you have no clutch action...

[NoYouRelax]

hmmmmm good it point but it will still sound good in neutral....no?

[wolds]

Anyone out there have an opinion on if you should actually lubricate the cable itself? The cable has a nylon sheath which makes it slick by nature. I know that on most of the bikes I own lubricating these sheathed cables is not recommended as it attacts dirt and that only the end/pivot point needs a touch of grease to keep it from binding up and bending the cable which would cause it to fatigue and break. Warren.

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by NoYouRelax

hmmmmm good it point but it will still sound good in neutral....no?

That's the spirit . Haha

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by wolds

Anyone out there have an opinion on if you should actually lubricate the cable itself? The cable has a nylon sheath which makes it slick by nature. I know that on most of the bikes I own lubricating these sheathed cables is not recommended as it attacts dirt and that only the end/pivot point needs a touch of grease to keep it from binding up and bending the cable which would cause it to fatigue and break. Warren.

Some recommend white lithium grease, but I installed mine dry from fear of attracting dirt.

[wolds]

Originally Posted by redstrosekNic

Some recommend white lithium grease, but I installed mine dry from fear of attracting dirt.

I did the same last year and the clutch is smooth and easy.

[dcarlson]

Originally Posted by dcarlson

'86, 915. Wondering how to go about lubing clutch cable and pedal cluster before considering replacement or rebuilding. Appreciate any comments.

OK, sounds like nobody has lubed the cluster or cable. Thanks anyway for related comments. As I said, I'm not going to rebuild or replace either at this time - just asking if anyone has added some lube to either with any success in eliminating squeek from the cluster area. Guess I'll just have to explore down there myself, clean it up a bit, and go with some white lithium grease wherever it looks like it might do some good. Thanks again and have a lovely.

[LWJ]

When I put my new cable in, I pulled it out. Greased the heck out of it. Put it back together. Done.

Now my pedals? On the to do list.
Larry

[dcarlson]

got at the floorboard today - overall pretty clean under there and this is original board - incredible shape for it's age IMO..used some white lithium grease spray and will see if it eases the squeaks a bit - noticed some improvement right away but we'll see if use gets it working a bit better. Can anyone tell me if this clutch pedal spring looks like it is installed/oriented properly?

[redstrosekNic]

^^^ Clutch spring is good to go.

[dcarlson]

great thanks.